Non-conviction based forfeiture as a tool for asset recovery: Recommendations of the Lisbon Conference, 5 –7 July 2022
This short report summarises key recommendations from the Lisbon Conference on non-conviction based forfeiture (NCBF) as a tool for asset recovery, which took place in Lisbon, Portugal on 5–7 July 2022. The conference gathered high-level representatives from Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Timor-Leste, together with international experts.
The recommendations include:
- Harmonisation of legislation and its proper implementation
- Integrated approach and coordination between institutions
- Speed and autonomy
- International judicial cooperation
- Multidisciplinary approach – creating new mechanisms
- Investment in training
The aim is to guide judicial authorities and law enforcement in applying effective, integrated and coordinated approaches to asset recovery.
The conference took place in the context of the “Supporting stakeholders in adopting non-conviction based forfeiture as a tool for asset recovery” programme, an initiative of the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) of the Basel Institute on Governance. Funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Department of State, the programe explores the potential for innovation in asset recovery through non-conviction based forfeiture (NBCF) mechanisms.
Note: This document is a translation of the original Portuguese post-conference recommendations.